The Delta State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba, on Thursday reserved judgment in the case between Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, to a later date.
The petition was brought by the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) and former deputy Senate President, Omo-Agege, challenging the election of Sheriff Oborovwori (PDP).
The reservation was made by the three-man panel headed by Justice C.O Ahuchaogu after the parties involved in the petition had adopted their written addresses.
Omo-Agege, in his petition challenged the declaration of the second respondent, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, as winner of the March 18, 2023 gubernatorial election in the state by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Counsel to Sheriff Oborevwori, Damian Dodo, SAN, in his address, said that the second respondent, totally adopts all the arguments encapsulated in his final written address, urging the tribunal to dismiss the petition.
Dodo argued that the petition is bound to fail, that the nature and character of the allegations made by the petitioner were such that the “witnesses called by the petitioner could not and have not even with the documents brought to the court prove the petition.
Meanwhile, Prof. J. Abugu, counsel of the first respondent, INEC, said the commission had adopted in its entirety, a 30-page written address it had filed and urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition for lack of merit.
Dr. Alex Izinyon, SAN, who is the counsel to Omo-Agege, argued that the petitioner, by the nature of the pleadings and the documents tendered, proved his case and urged the tribunal to declare the petitioner as winner of the election.
However, on adjournment, Ahuchaogu said the date for the judgment would be communicated to the parties and their counsels.
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